"Hahaha, hasn't Zhao Huan always claimed to be the savior of the Song Dynasty? So before facing the Jin soldiers, it is reasonable to defeat the Ever Victorious Army first, right?"
"When river clams fight, the fisherman will gain. If Zhao Huan wins, it will be a meritorious service to the public. If Zhao Huan loses, his reputation will be ruined."
"What a man who kills two birds with one stone. The Duke's action is indeed extraordinary."
Cai Jing has listened to flattery all his life and is naturally immune to such flattery. However, this strategy of driving away tigers and devouring wolves is Cai Jing's proud work.
He wanted the remaining four powerful ministers to open their eyes and take a good look at how he captured Zhao Huan, this crazy hidden dragon.
"Is that Zhao Huan? I have suppressed you for ten years. If I am not careful, I will let you stand out. But if you want to fly into the sky, it depends on whether I agree or not!"
At the same time, in the West Flower Hall of the harem, Zhao Ji and Queen Xiansu were walking among the flowers together, looking extremely loving and harmonious.
Xianglan followed leisurely, but her heart was already in her throat because she heard that Zhao Huan had bloodbathed the Zhu family because of a little maid.
The Zhu family is a member of the Queen's family. If Shengyan is offended by this, I'm afraid Zhao Huan will have a good harvest.
Zhao Ji stood by the pond, hands behind his back, and mentioned the Zhu family in a calm voice.
"Prince Ding made a lot of noise in the Zhu family today. Has the queen heard about it?"
Queen Xiansu smiled and responded softly: "Then when did the child make a lot of noise?"
"There are so many princes and princes in the Song Dynasty. This son was the most capable at the beginning. He was appointed to know the affairs of Yizhou for a few days and then he took over Yizhou. If it were other princes, I am afraid that he would not have this ability."
"Haha, I have a bit of an arrogant temper, but after all, I am His Majesty's son. He inherits his father's legacy and is as majestic as His Majesty back then."
Queen Xiansu's words not only showed her respect for Zhao Huan, but also appeased Zhao Ji.
Zhao Ji's eyes indeed softened a lot: "Having said that, after all, the Zhu family is the clan of Queen Qincheng, and I also want to remember my old relationship."
"But fortunately, today's affairs are all the Zhu family's household affairs. Prince Ding is the son-in-law of the Zhu family. It is the family's law to deal with thieves who seek power and usurp the throne. It is indeed inconvenient for me to interfere."
"But based on this matter, I do not reject King Ding's approach."
After all, Zhao Ji is the king of a country, and he hates those bullies who seek power and usurp the throne from the bottom of his heart. If he indulges it arbitrarily, won't what happened to the Zhu family happen to Zhao Ji one day?
Therefore, Zhao Ji, instead of being angry at Zhu Boping's death, was secretly happy.
"The Zhu family's affairs will be settled by the Zhu family themselves. However, today the public minister has suggested that since King Ding has taken over Yizhou, it will be a smooth process to put down the Chang Sheng rebels."
"I know that King Ding plans to stop the Jin soldiers in Yizhou, and the pressure is great, but who allows the Changsheng rebels to be under King Ding's jurisdiction? I have nothing to do."
The Speed Queen's heart sank. The Changsheng Army had colluded with the Liao and Jin soldiers for a long time. Even the imperial court sent troops to encircle and suppress the army several times without success.
Although Zhao Huan had already taken over Yizhou, he was new here and his foundation was unstable.
Whether it is internal affairs or external enemies, Zhao Huan is enough to have a headache for a while. Now he has to destroy the ever-victorious army that is far more powerful than Zhao Huan. Doesn't this push Zhao Huan to a dead end?
But this is His Majesty's decision after all. Even if Queen Xiansu becomes more powerful, she cannot go against His Majesty's decision.
She could only sigh softly, hoping that Zhao Huan could grit his teeth and get through this. Apart from praying for Zhao Huan in her heart, there was actually very little she could do.
Three days later, Xiaochai was buried, causing another sensation in Bianjing.
For a lowly person like Xiaochai, it is not an exaggeration at all to describe him as lifeless.
Just find some grass, sweep it up and throw it into the wilderness.
However, Xiaochai's pomp was no less than that of a daughter of an official residence. The sound of the mourning band's pipes and beatings continued to echo in Bianjing City, and the mighty funeral procession stretched for nearly a hundred meters.
The people felt it was new and ran to the streets to watch the excitement. Everyone was talking and talking endlessly.
"Look at this splendid scene. Even if you are the daughter of a real official residence, it can't compare to it, right?"
"Well, don't you think about it, she is the maid of the prince's palace, and she is also the most protective of Prince Ding in the whole Bianjing."
"Haha, I really have money to burn. This funeral will cost at least one thousand eight hundred taels of silver. What can I do with this money? It has to be spent on a lowly person."
"You can't say that. Xiaochai is Princess Ding's valet, and she is a sister. It's not unusual for her to have such a scene."
"Hahaha, that's new! The majestic princess actually became sisters with a lowly wife. It's really strange things happen every year, especially this year."
"What do you know? This is called emphasizing love and righteousness! Although King Ding is violent and crazy, think about it carefully. Since King Ding became powerful, has he ever oppressed the people?"
"That's right! Although Prince Ding is violent, he is a prince who values friendship and loyalty throughout the Song Dynasty. This is the blessing of all our people."
Under the watchful eyes of all the people, the funeral procession gradually left the street and headed out of the city.
Zhao Huan spent two hundred taels of silver to buy the pre-built tomb from a landowner outside the city.
Zhao Huan and Zhu Lian attended the burial ceremony in person, and all the dignitaries in the city came to watch the fun.
After all, the prince presided over the funeral of the maid. This kind of thing, let alone the Song Dynasty, was unprecedented even in ancient and modern times. Some people lamented Zhao Huan's friendship, while others naturally ridiculed him, thinking that Zhao Huan was just trying to please others.
Zhao Huan didn't care in the face of the pointing fingers from around him.
After all, Xiao Chai devoted his whole life to the palace and Zhu Lian. If Zhao Huan ignored Xiao Chai's past achievements because of his humble status, that would be such a bastard.
"Start the burial!"
As Zhao Huan's high-pitched voice echoed around the tomb, Changfu immediately led people to lift the coffin and slowly placed it into the tomb.
Zhu Lian watched the coffin disappear from sight little by little. Although he was heartbroken, he was full of gratitude for what Zhao Huan had done.
Even if Xiaochai no longer protects her, as long as the prince's heart is still with her, no one in this world can bully her.
"Your Majesty...thank you."
Zhu Lian, who never said thank you, made an exception this time. Not only did he express his gratitude to Zhao Huan in person, he even gently pulled Zhao Huan's sleeve. This kind of move would never have been done by Zhu Lian in the past.
Looking at this man who had sacrificed so much for her, Zhu Lian had already regarded Zhao Huan as her husband until death.
It's just that because of her cold and indifferent nature, she doesn't want to express many things.
Zhao Huan also stared at the coffin, calmly held Zhu Lian's trembling little hand, and said seriously: "Silly girl, you never have to say thank you to this king."
"You are my wife, and it is only natural that I will go through fire and water for you."